Whereas the preamble of the North Atlantic Treaty states: “The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments. They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area. They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security”,
Whereas NATO member France has agreed to build Mistral warships for and with non-NATO member state Russia,
Whereas France is bound by Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty which states: “The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened”,
Whereas NATO members Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have expressed opposition to France’s sale of Mistral warships to Russia because they feel they are a threat to the peace and stability of the Baltic Region,
Whereas it has been declared by Russian Prime Minister Putin that the deployment of these warships and associated advanced weapons systems will be “as the military of Russia sees fit,”
Whereas the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law are not being safeguarded in the country of Russia as evidenced by the actions of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the ruling United Russia party, which have jailed political dissidents, rigged elections and trials, controlled the media, opposed NATO actions and military exercises, and which have directed Russian attacks on neighboring countries such as Georgia,
Whereas other NATO member countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands have indicated a willingness to sell similar warships and other technologically advanced weapons systems to Russia,
Whereas the economic benefits derived from the sale of these weapons systems by NATO member countries do not outweigh the loss of security and stability in the North Atlantic area,
Now there for be it resolved that the Baltic American Freedom League assembled at its Annual Membership Meeting unanimously recommends to the U.S. Congress that the Congress calls upon the President of the United States of America to propose that the North Atlantic Council institute new procedures, guidelines and safeguards for the sale of military arms and weapons systems by NATO member countries to non-NATO member countries; the guiding dictum being, that any weapons sales to such non-NATO member countries, actually help promote peace and stability in the North Atlantic region (as stated in the North Atlantic Treaty).
Adopted by the Baltic American Freedom League on March 12 , 2011, Los Angeles, California.
